There are many Irish surnames being used today in forms that are quite different than their original, ancient forms. Higgens originally appeared in Gaelic as O huigin, which is derived from the word uiging, which is akin to the Norse word viking.

Higgens Early Origins

The surname Higgens was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. This distinguished Irish Clann was a branch of the O'Neills, said to descend from a grandson of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the 4th century High King of Ireland and founder of the Uí Neill Clan.

Higgens Spelling Variations

Higgens Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Higgens were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Higgins, Higgin, O'Higgin, Higgans, Higgens and many more.

Higgens Early History

Higgens Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Higgens research. Another 289 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1315, 1501, 1595, 1720, 1578, 1659, 1624, 1691, 1659, 1661, 1679, 1670, 1735, 1720, 1801, 1796 and 1818 are included under the topic Early Higgens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Higgens Early Notables (pre 1700)

Higgens Early Notables (pre 1700)

Prominent amongst the family at this time was Shean Duff O'Higgins (17th century), Lord of Ballynary, Sligo; Theophilus Higgons (c.1578-1659), an English divine and convert to Catholicism; Sir Thomas Higgons (c 1624-1691), an English diplomat and politician, Member of Parliament for Malmesbury in 1659, and Windsor (1661-1679); Bevil Higgons (1670-1735), an...

Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Higgens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute do to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United Sates and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Higgens family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Higgens Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Higgens, who landed in New York in 1646

Tomas Higgens, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1646

Hum Higgens, who landed in Virginia in 1653

Michael Higgens, who arrived in Maryland in 1656

Higgens Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Higgens, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1806

William Smith Higgens, Scottish convict from Glasgow, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia[1]CITATION[CLOSE]State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849

Contemporary Notables of the name Higgens (post 1700)

Contemporary Notables of the name Higgens (post 1700)

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Citations

Citations

^ State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849

The Higgens Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Higgens Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.